PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF SCHISTOSOMIASIS AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOLCHILDREN IN AL–MAHWEET GOVERNORATE, YEMEN

Abstract. Schistosomiasis is among the mainly prevalent suffering of human who live in areas of poverty in the developing world. Epidemiological surveys indicated that schistosomiasis is widely distributed in Yemen. Two main forms of human schistosomiasis exist in Yemen. Urinary schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma haematobium infection and intestinal schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma mansoni infection. This cross–sectional inquiry aims to appreciate the prevalence and corresponding risk factors of schistosomiasis included in primary schoolchildren in Al–Mahweet governorate, Yemen. Urine and faecal specimenes (samples) were collected from 196 primary school children. Urine samples were examined using sedimentation method for presence of Schistosoma haematobium eggs. While faecal samples were examined using Kato Katz techniques for the presence of Schistosoma mansoni. Structured questionnaires were administered to the subjects of the target population in order to determine infection in relation to associated factors. Overall, 30.1 % of study participants were found to be positive for schistosomiasis; 35.7 % were infected with Schistosoma mansoni and 24.5 % were infected with Schistosoma haematobium. The relation between the prevalence of schistosomiasis infection and the factors of age and gender were not statistically significance (P= 0.183 and 0.560) respectively. The highest rate (61 %) of schistosomiasis infection, were recorded among the schoolchildren who using streams as a main source of water. The urban area of Al–Mahweet governorate had a lower prevalence of schistosomiasis infection (11.9 %), as compared to schoolchildren from rural area (29.4 %). Other multivariate analysis confirmed that schoolchildren fathers’ education status (P= 0.007), sanitary facilities (P= 0.001) and place of residence (P= 0.001) were the key factors significantly associated with schistosomiasis infection among these children. This study reveals that schistosomiasis infection is still highly prevalent in Al–Mahweet governorate, Yemen. This study recommended that, beside periodic drug distribution, a comprehensive intervention strategy should be designed and be implemented to reduce schistosomiasis prevalence.